Kenya's police boss Japhet Koome has warned those planning to protest on Monday against carrying weapons.
Koome on Sunday said that anyone found carrying or in possession of an offensive weapon will be arrested as they were aware there are plans to cause violence in Nairobi.
"We have heard others say that they will bring violence in Nairobi tomorrow. Nothing of the sort will happen because the police are ready to ensure there’s peace in the country. Anyone armed with offensive weapons will be arrested," Koome said.
"If you have intentions of bringing stones, rungu, firearms you will face the law.. You will have it rough," he added.
The IG explained that Nairobi as the capital city plays a major role not only in the country or East Africa and Africa at large and hosts high profiled guests, therefore the police must ensure that the city remains peaceful and clear of demos.
"As the police, we will not allow anything illegal or causing harm happens in Nairobi," Koome added.
Opposition Chief Raila Odinga had declared that the Azimio coalition will not relent from protestors.
He said the time was ripe for the protests and they will continue every Monday and Thursday.
Azimio even notified the police of their planned weekly protests on Mondays and Thursdays and asked that sufficient security be provided.
In a hand-delivered letter to IG Koome, Azimio Executive Council chairman Wycliffe Oparanya, however, warned that armed plainclothes officers who will be deployed to the protests will be treated as thugs or goons.
"We put police on notice that we will allow only uniformed police to bear arms; plainclothes in arms will be dealt with as thugs and hired goons and committed to civilian arrests as allowed by the law," Oparanya said.
The notice, he added, shall apply to Monday, March 27 and Thursday, March 30 and the subsequent Monday and Thursday thereafter.
